Blow-molded drum

ABSTRACT

The peripheral wall of a blow-molded plastic drum is provided with recesses positioned at diametrically opposite sides, adjacent the top of the drum. Each includes a substantially flat horizontal surface functioning as a bearing surface for the forks of a fork-lift truck. A handling attachment can be provided at the top of the drum to accept the top hook of a hand truck or a similar transporting device.

United States Patent Simon et al.

Ill] 3,889,839

[ June 17, 1975 1 BLOW-MOLDED DRUM 3,586,204 6/l97l Roper 220/72 x 7'][0 1972 H 220 7 [75] Inventors: Alvin L. Simon; Klaus S. Butz, both 3 643/ ammes I 2 of Los Angeles Primary Examiner-William l. Price [73]Assignee: Advanced Chemical Technology, Los Asslsran! E raminerSteven M.Pollard Angeles, Calif. Attorney, Agent, or FirmMarvin H. Kleinberg [22]Filed: May 30, 1974 [57} ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 474797 The peripheral wallof a blow-molded plastic drum is provided with recesses positioned atdiametrically op- [52] US. Cl. 220/72; 220/66 posite sides, adjacent thetop of the drum Each in- [51] Int. Cl B6Sd 7/42 cludes a substantiallyflat horizontal surface function- [58] Field of Search 220/72, 70, 69,66, 5 R ing as a bearing surface for the forks of a fork-lift truck. Ahandling attachment can be provided at the [56] References Cited top ofthe drum to accept the top hook of a hand UNITED STATES PATENTS truck ora similar transporting device. 1.909928 5/[933 Waite to 220/66 30Claims, 9 Drawing Figures e 4e 1a a Z4 II 1 22 f9 :2 3a 26 14BLOW-MOLDED DRUM BAC KGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates generally to containers 5 and, moreparticularly, to a blow-molded drum of the stackable type, made ofatherm'oplastic material.

2. Description of the Prior Art Drums of this kind are known in the artand are phys ically configured to be stacked on top of each other foreconomy of space requirements. One such conventional blow-molded drumcomprises, for example, a substantially cylindrical main body and a headand bottom portion which are considerably tapered inwardly, relative tothe longitudinal axis of the drum, to provide the required structuralstrength for the container.

The head and bottom portions of this conventional drum terminate ingenerally planar end walls with depressions formed at diametricallyopposite sides of the top end wall. A tubular portion or projection islocated in each of the depressions and constitutes an inlet, an

outlet or an air escape opening. Each of the tubular projectionscommunicates with the interior of the drum. The upper bpen edges of theprojections terminate in a plane corresponding to the general plane ofthe top wall surface. i

Usually, reinforcing webs are provided in the respective depressions andare integrally formed with the pro era] surfaces which include athreaded portion adapted to intermesh with the threaded portion of abung or closure cap which, normally, seals the tubular projections,isolating the interior from the environment.

Conventionally, this type of plastic drumisprovided with an eyeletpositioned in the central portion of the top end wall intermediate thedepressions therein. For example, it may be disposed in a recess beneaththe general plane of the'end wall. This centrally positioned eyeletaccepts the hook of a crane or similar lifting device for verticallifting or positioning of the drum during loading or unloading thereof.

Loading and unloading of a fully loaded drum onto and from a truckbed,platform or other location, by means of the eyelet and a lifting hook,has the inherent disadvantage that, during aerial travel of the drum by,for example, a crane, the tension exerted on the drum in the region ofthe eyelet is exceedingly high, particularly with those drums which havea large volumetric" content. It will be appreciated that as a result ofthis tension, centered solely on the carrying eye or eyelet of the drum,breakage or disengagement of the eyelet from the drum top surface mayoccur, which, in turn, can affect the integrity ofthe drum and lead toextremely hazardous situations.

The keg-shape of conventional plastic drums' prevents normal manualhandling thereof as compared with the common steel drum which issubstantially cylindrical with relatively flat top and bottom surfacesand can be easily rolled and positioned onto the platshapedconfiguration, which enables a standard fork truck to lift the drum.Plastic drums of the type under discussion do not have such well definededge portions due to the degree ofcurvature at the top and bottomportions, and hence, these drums are unsuitable for use with a fork-lifttruck.

Moreover, due to the highly curved or rounded top and bottom sections ofconventional keg or egg-shaped plastic drums, it is nearly impossible tomake use of a standard hand truck for handling and transporting thesedrums. The support forks, which project outwardly from the lower end ofthe truck, are rather short in length and, as such, usually cannot reachthe bottom surface of such configured drums. Even in instances where thecurvature at the bottom section would allow the forks to engage thebottom surface of the drum, it is extremely difficult tobalance the drumon the hand truck, again as a result of the general curved configurationof the drum. In addition, the absence of anykind of handling attachmentleaves the drum in an unbalanced, relatively unstable position onthe'truck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It, therefore, is an object of the invention toover come the above disadvantages encountered with conventionalblow-molded, plastic polyethylene drums and to providea drum whichenables easy handling both manually and mechanically using conventionallifting devices. 1

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a drum ofsubstantially cylindrical configuration has slightly curved top andbottom sections, terminating in generally planar end walls.

The drum is made of a high density thermoplastic material; such aspolyethylene, and is blow-molded in the conventional manner. Provided inthe generally straight, circumferential wall of the drum, adjacent thetop thereof, are a pair of indentations or recesses positioneddiametrically opposite each other. Each recess provides a generally flatsurface which extends substantially normal to thelon'gitudinal axis ofthe drum, parallel to the planar top end walls thereof.

The purpose of providing the circumferential wall with such flatrecessed indentations is to provide bearing surfaces forthe straight andflat forks of a conventional fork-lift truck. The indentations areconfigured to support the entire weight of a fully filled drum and donot affect the structural strength of the drum. Also, as a result of thecylindrical circumference and flat bot tom surface of the drum, thelatter, when positioned on the forks or bottom plate of a hand truck, iseasily balanced against the upwardly directed supports of the handtruck, a feature'which, hitherto, was impossible due to the roundedconfiguration of the circumferential surface of the conventional plasticdrums.

Furthermore, dueto the provision of the substantially cylindricalcircumferential wall and the slightly curved top and bottom portions ofthe drum, edge portions are formed between the circumferential wall andthe top and bottom surfaces. 'Such an edge portion at the bottom regionof the drum enables the latter to be easily manually rolled and, inadditiomenables the drum to be adequately engaged by and positioned ontothe forks or plate of a standard hand lift truck. The degree ofcurvature at the bottom of the drum is such as to enable the rathershort forks to be easily disposed beneath the drum bottom surface,afeature which, as hereinbefore discussed, was practically impossible,again as a result of the rather large curvature at the bottom portionsof conventional plastic drums.

Another feature of the invention not found in prior art blow-moldeddrums is the handling attachment which further facilitates handling andlifting of the drum by a hand truck. The handling attachment ispositioned at the drum top and enables the top to be con nected to theconventional top hook with which the hand truck is usually equipped toconnect the upper end of the drum to the truck. The handling attachmentmay, of course, also be used to accept the hook or connecting member ofasimilar lifting device which utilizes the hook or connecting member forstabilizing the drum on the device.

The handling attachment, in one embodiment thereof, is in the form of aflexible loop attached laterally to the bung projection at the top wallof the drum. The loop is arranged to accept the top hook of the handtruck.

In another embodiment. the handling attachment is formed by a wallreceptacle which extends slightly angularly inwardly from the planarSurface at the top wall of the drum, adjacent the peripheral edgethereof, and defines a cutout portion between the drum side and bungprojection. With the drum positioned on the forks of the hand truck, thecutout portion accepts the top hook of the hand truck.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be best understoodfrom the following description of specific embodiments when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a blow-moldedpolyethylene drum according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side view of the drum of FIG. 1, illustratingthe upper portion of the drum turned through 90, more clearly showingthe handling attachment and the wall indentation;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top view of the drum top of FIG. 2, illustratingthe handling attachment;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side view similar to FIG. 1, however,illustrating a second embodiment of the handling attachment according tothe present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the drum taken along the line 5-5 of FIG.4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal section taken along theline 6-6 of FIG. 5, illustrating in detail the handling attachment;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2, however, illustrating anopen-top drum incorporating the indentations and the handling attachmentof the present invention; and

FIGS. 8a and 8b are fragmentary views showing profiles of otherembodiments oflifting portions of a drum.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawingsin which like reference numerals index like parts and, with attentioninitially directed to FIG. 1, there is shown a blow-molded drum 10 whichis made of a thermoplastic material such as a heavy densitypolyethylene. The drum is of substantially cylindrical configurationand, as shown, has a generally straight periphery 12 and slightly curvedtop and bottom portions 14, 16, respectively,

which ternunate in generally planar top and bottom end walls 18, 20,respectively.

Provided in the circumferential wall of the top portion 14, adjacent thetop end wall 18, are two recesses or indentations 22, 24 positioneddiametrically opposite each other in the top portion 14.

The recesses 22, 24 initially define curved shoulder sections 26, 28,which deflect rather sharply from the generally straight line P of theprojected periphery l2, inwardly relative to the longitudinal axis A ofthe drum 10. The curved sections 26, 28 merge into substantiallystraight upright sections 30, 32, which extend upwards in generalalignment with the longitudinal axis A of the drum l0 and extendlengthwise to form longitudinal channels in the side walls of the drumthrough which the forks ofa fork lift can be run in for the purpose oflifting the drum. The sections 30, 32, in turn, terminate in overhangingbrows or lips having planar surfaces 34, 36, which extend in a normalplane relative to the axis A of the drum 10.

When the straight surfaces 34, 36 are engaged and lifted by the forksof, for example, a standard fork-lift truck, they provide bearingsurfaces for the forks and effect equal and uniform weight distributionof a filled drum.

As shown in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1, the fork insertionrecesses 22 and 24 are provided on the top portion 14 of the drum. Thislocation for the recesses gives greatest stability and avoidance oftipping in the lifting ofa fully loaded drum, because the center ofgravity of the fully loaded drum then lies well below the supportingforks. It should be understood that, if desired, additional recesses maybe provided in the top portion, to permit fork lift approach fromdifferent angles, and also that the recesses may be positioned in otherdrum portions. Thus, for example, the drum may be provided in its middleportion with diametrically opposed recesses similar to 22 and 24. Alsoit may be desired that the drum be as readily liftable by a fork liftwhen the drum is upside down, and in such event the bottom portion ofthe drum may be provided with an oppositely disposed pair of recesses,having a configuration as shown in FIG. 8a, or a more central portion ofthe drum may be provided with pair of recesses having a configurationwith both top and bottom lifting brows as shown in FIG. 8b.

The planar surfaces of the recesses in the respective wall sections aredimensioned as later discussed so as to prevent their dislodgement fromthe forks.

On the whole, the top and bottom portions l4, 16 have a curvature with adeflection of only a few degrees relative to the straight sides 12 ofthe drum. This slight degree of curvature is sufficient to give greatstructural strength to the container at the top and bottom sections.

One advantage of a drum thus configured is, for example, a substantialincrease in dimension of the bot tom surface as compared with bottomportions of drums with a considerably high degree of curvature such as,for example, a kegor egg-shaped drum. The bottom surface of the presentdrum, for instance, permits positive engagement with and support by theforks or platform of a standard hand truck, which would not be feasiblewith a drum with a rather strongly curved bottom section. Since theforks or platform of the hand truck are relatively short in length,generally they would not extend far enough to reach and adequatelysupport the bottom surface of such drums. Hence, the slight degree ofcurvature at the bottom section 16 provides a larger bearing surface ofthe bottom wall per se and, consequently, provides a greater supportsurface; e.g., for the platform of a truck.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top end wall 18 is provided with bungprojections 38, 40 of conventional design. The projections arepositioned in depressions 42, 44, which are disposed diametricallyopposite each other in the top end wall 18. The projections 38, 40define openings therein which communicate the interior of the drum withthe atmosphere, the openings or bung holes being arranged to receive theusual bungs or stoppers.

The upper edges of the projections 38, 40, as shown, are located in thegeneral plane of the top wall 18 while the upper edges of the bungs, notshown, are positioned in the plane of the upper limits of theprojections. This arrangement provides that the overall upper wall 18 isgenerally flat which, as will be appreciated, provides increasedstability in the stacking of the drums on top of each other.

Reinforcing webs 46, one shown, are provided at the sides of theprojections 38, 40, extending inwardly towards the center of the drum.Located below or extending through the web 46, as shown, is a cutout oreyelet 48. The eyelet 48 forms an opening for the pas sage of aloop-shaped, flexible member 50 which loosely surrounds the bungprojection 38. The flexible member 50, e.g., a flexible wire cable,constitutes a handling attachment for the drum in that it is arranged toreceive, for example, the upper connecting hook of a standard handtruck, or the hook ofa similar handling device. One such arrangement isillustrated in FIG. 2 with the hook shown in dashed lines.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the handlingattachment of the invention. The bandling attachment, in this instance,is in the form of a fixed receptacle 52, open at its upper end. Adownwardly directed, elongated cavity 54 is arranged to receive the tophook ofa hand truck or the hook ofa similar handling device.

The receptacle 52 is positioned laterally in the region of thecircumferential edge 56 of the top end wall 18 and is disposed so thatthe walls of the cavity 54 extend at a slightly outwardly inclinedorientation relative to the longitudinal axis A of the drum 10. Theupper edges 58, 60, bounding the cavity 54, extend in a plane parallelwith the general plane of the top wall 18.

The receptacle 52, in essence, is formed by a substantially wedge-shapedfold portion 62, including a bottom portion 64 and an outer wall portion66. The fold portion 62 is integrally formed with a substantiallyrectangular base portion 68, including a bung assembly 70. The bungassembly 70, as shown in FIG. 6, includes an upper tubular portion 72and the base portion 68 integrally formed therewith.

The four sides of the base portion 68 include an inner side 74 facingtowards the center of the drum and an outer side 76 facing away from thecenter of the drum, the lower end of which is integral with the bottomportion 64. As shown, the outer side 76 of base portion 68 extendsparallel with the outer wall portion 66 and angularly inwardly relativeto the axis A of the drum.

Connecting the outer wall portion 66 with the outer side 76 of the baseportion 68 are side surfaces 78, one of which is shown in FIG. 6.

The base portion 68 of the bung assembly 70 and the wedge-shaped foldportion 62, integrally formed therewith, constitute a substantiallyrectangular assembly when viewed from the top or bottom.

The bung assembly 70 constructed as discussed hereinbefore is aprefabricated unit formed, e.g., by an injection molding process. Toposition the assembly 70 in the top end wall 18 of the drum, theassembly is initially appropriately placed in the matrix used forshaping the drum and the latter is subsequently formed around theassembly 70 by a blow-molding process. It should be noted that theassembly 70 is preferably of a plastic substance with a higher meltingpoint than that used for manufacturing the drum in order to avoiddeformation or melting of the prefabricated assembly 70, or partsthereof.

Once the blow-molded drum, and the bung assembly 70 formed therein, isremoved from the matrix, the drum is formed with an elongated, generallyrectangular opening 82 provided in the top wall 18 and in which the bungassembly is appropriately located. Bounding the opening 82 is agenerally rectangular wall 84, constituted by wall sections 86, 88, anda lateral wall section 92 which merges into the side wall 14 of thedrum.

The outer circumferential surface of the base portion 68 and the foldportion 62 are provided with an integral circumferential rib portion 98,and as a result of blowmolding the drum around the assembly 70, thecircumferential surface of the drum wall 84 is formed with acorresponding peripheral portion and these two portions, i.e., the ribportion 98 and the portion 100 of the drum wall 84, are in interlockingengagement with each other, as shown in FIG. 6. Also, followingblowmolding the drum, the vertex 102 of fold portion 62 is in abuttingengagement with an abutment surface 94 of an abutment portion 96 formedat the transistion region at the lower end of wall section 92 and theside wall 14 of the drum. Such abutment provides a reinforcing effectfor the fold portion 62 and the wall section 92 in the region of theabutment portion 96.

Unitary with the drum top wall section 86 of the wall 84 and the centralportion 104 of the drum top surface 18 is a reinforcing web 106 providedto add to the rigidity of the bung assembly 70 and to preventdeformation thereof.

The bung assembly 70 is provided with an inner annular circumferentialwall 108 which at its lower end is provided with a threaded portion 110which intermeshes with a correspondingly threaded portion 112 of acommon bung 1 14, positioned in the assembly 70. Directly above thethreaded portion 110 is an inwardly tapering portion 116 which tightlyabuts a seal 118 provided on an inner tapering surface portion 120 ofthe bung. This arrangement provides a positive seal of the interior ofthe drum. A seal cap 122 is provided on the assembly 70 to prevent thebung 114 from being removed accidentally or surreptitiously.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, the cavity 54 has a width which issubstantially equal to the diameter of the tubular portion 72 of thebung assembly 70, the width being dimensioned such as to provideadequate access for the top hook of a standard hand truck.

FIG. 7 shows an open-top, blow-molded plastic drum 10', normally closedby a lid or cover member 124. The drum in this embodiment is configuredsimilarly in appearance as the drum of FIG. 1. The drum 10' at the topportion 14' thereof is provided with an integral lateral projection 126extending radially outwardly. The projection 126 is formed with aneyelet or opening 128 which provides passage for the handling attachment130 which, as in FIG. 1, is in the form of a loop-shaped flexible membersuch as a looped wire 50 which accepts the hook of a lifting device. Asshown, the upper surface 132 of the projection 126 lies in the generalplane of the top end wall 134. The drum configuration of this embodimentis identical with its counterpart of FIG. I and will not be describedfurther.

By way of example, the position and dimensions of the periphery of theforegoing embodiments are arranged so that, as shown in the top view ofFIG. 5, the overhanging brow of a recess has its planar lifting surfaceoccupying an area bounded between a chord C of the circumference of thedrum and the corresponding arc subtended by the chord. The longitudinalwidth of the brow, corresponding to the length of chord C, subtends acentral angle of approximately 62 at A. The depth of the overhangingbrow is at least /2 inch and preferably approximately /4 inch to 1 /2inches to pro vide adequate support for the forks of a fork lift andallowance for the variations in fork spacing, so as to assure that thelifting brow will not fail and that the forks will not slip off. Theupright sections of the recesses have a height of approximately /2inches to permit a reasonable initial misalignment with the height orangle of the forks of the fork lift as may be encountered when the forklift approaches on an inclined or uneven pavement.

The upright sections of the recesses may be slightly outwardly orinwardly curved. This may facilitate positioning of the forks of alifting device into the recesses, as, for example, in those instanceswhere the forks do not extend in exact parallelism with each other. Inaddition, such slightly outwardly curved upright sections tend to add tothe rigidity of the overall recess structure. An outwardly directedcurvature of the upright sections is exemplarily shown by thedash-dotted line in FIG. 5.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting variousfeatures which, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific as pects of thisinvention, and therefore, such adaptations are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A blow-molded drum of thermoplastic material comprising:

an extended drum body having a circumferential wall and top and bottomsections,

said circumferential wall having at least two integral overhanging browportions positioned respectively on opposite sides of saidcircumferential wall of said body, each of said brow portionsoverhanging a corresponding clear and open volume adjacent saidcircumferential wall sufficiently large to permit insertion of the forksof a fork lift beneath the overhanging brows,

said overhanging brow portions having bottom surfaces adapted to serveas bearing and lifting surfaces for lifting and transporting of saiddrum by the forks of a fork lift.

2. The blow-molded drum defined by claim I wherein said brow portionsare positioned in the circumferential wall of said body adjacent to thetop of said drum body and substantially equidistant above the bottom ofsaid body.

3. The blow-molded drum of claim 1 wherein said circumferential wall isgenerally cylindrical with slightly tapering top and bottom portions.

4. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 1 wherein said clear and openvolumes are defined by two indentations in opposite sides of saidcircumferential wall of said body, each of said indentations beingextended lengthwise to define longitudinal channels in saidcircumferential wall through which the forks of a fork lift can beinserted, said overhanging brow por tions comprising the respectiveoverhanging top portions of said longitudinal channels.

5. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 1 wherein each of saidoverhanging brow portions has at its deepest portion a depth in therange of 3/2 of an inch to l fizinches.

6. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 1 wherein said overhanging browportions have at their deepest portion a depth of at least /2 inch.

7. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 6 wherein the clear and openvolume beneath an overhanging brow portion has a height of approximately1% inches.

8. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom surfacesof said overhanging brow portion are planar surfaces substantiallynormal to the axis of said drum, said circumferential wall includinglongitudinally extended upright wall sections immediately beneath andjoining to said bottom surfaces of said overhanging brow portions.

9. The blow-molded drum of claim 1 wherein said drum body includes ahandling member positioned at the top of said body and adjacent saidcircumferential wall and adapted to receive the handling hook of a handtruck.

10. The drum defined by claim 9 wherein said handling attachmentcomprises a loop of flexible material attached to said drum body.

11. The drum defined by claim 9 wherein said handling comprises acup-like receptacle integrally formed in the plastic of the top of saiddrum body.

12. The drum defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom section of said drumbody includes a bottom enclosing end wall and said top section of saiddrum body has an open top adapted to receive a mating plastic cover.

13. A blow-molded drum of thermoplastic material comprising:

a substantially cylindrical body having opposite ends;

at least two indentations in the circumferential wall of said body atdiametrically opposite sides thereof, said indentations having planarbearing surfaces disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axisof said drum, said indentations being proportioned and adapted toreceive the forks of a mechanical fork lift for lifting and transportingsaid drum on said planar bearing surfaces.

14. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute top andbottom end walls of said body and said indentations extend equidistantfrom and adjacent to said top end wall.

15. The drum of claim 13 wherein said body has a longitudinal axis andincludes a head portion and a plurality of indentations provided in thecircumferential wall of said head portion at diametrically oppositesides thereof and positioned symmetrically relative to the longitudinalaxis of said body.

16. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute top andbottom end walls of said body, said indentations being positioned on thecircumferential wall of said body equidistant above the bottom end wallsof said body.

17. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute top andbottom end walls of said body, said body being open at its top and saidindentations being positioned on the circumferential wall of said bodyadjacent to the open top of said body and equidistant above the bottomend wall of said body.

18. The drum of claim 13, wherein said opposite ends constitute top andbottom end walls of said body, and includes at least one depressionformed at one side of the top end wall, and further including a tubularprojection affording access to the interior of said body and located insaid depression.

19. The drum of claim 18 wherein said tubular projection is integrallyformed with said depression in said planar end wall at the top of saidbody, said drum further including reinforcing webs integral with saidend wall and said tubular projection and bridging said depression.

20. The drum of claim 19 wherein said tubular projections are providedwith an inner circumferential surface and screw threads in said surface,said screw threads being adapted to intermesh with the screw threads ofa plug member positioned in said tubular projection to seal the latterfrom the atmosphere.

21. The drum of claim 13 further including a handling member formanually and mechanically manipulating said drum, said handling memberbeing positioned at the top of said drum adjacent said circumferentialwall of said drum.

22. The drum of claim 21 wherein said opposite ends constitute planarend wall surfaces at the top and bottom of said body, the planar endwall surface at the top of said body being formed with at least onedepression at the side of said surface, and further including a tubu larprojection affording access to the interior of said body located in saiddepression, and wherein said handling member is positioned laterallyadjacent one of said tubular projections.

23. The drum of claim 22 wherein said handling member is a loop offlexible material cooperatively engaged with said one of said tubularprojections.

24. The drum ofclaim 21 wherein the planar end wall surface at the topof said body is formed with at least one depression at one side of saidsurface and a tubular projection affording access to the interior ofsaid body located in said depression, and wherein said handling memberis in the form of a receptacle constituted by a wall section positionedradially outwardly and spaced from said tubular projection and defininga cavity in said surface in the region of the peripheral edge thereof,said cavity extending inwardly of said body.

25. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute a top andbottom end of said body, said body being open at its top, said drumincluding a handling member positioned adjacent the peripheral edgebounding the open top of said body and adapted to receive the handlinghook of a hand truck.

26. The drum of claim 25 wherein said handling member is in the form ofa loop of flexible material and said peripheral edge includes alaterally outwardly directed projection defining an opening therethroughfor the passage of said loop of flexible material.

27. A blow-molded drum of thermoplastic material comprising:

a substantially cylindrical main body portion having a longitudinalaxis;

slightly curved head and bottom portions at axially opposite ends ofsaid main body portion and integral therewith, said head and bottomportions terminating into substantially planar end walls;

at least two indentations in the circumferential wall of said headportion at diametrically opposite sides thereof, equidistant from andadjacent to the planar end wall of said head portion, said indentationshaving planar bearing surfaces axially aligned relative to each otherand disposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said drum,said planar surfaces being adapted to receive supporting members forlifting and transporting said drum;

depressions in the planar end wall at the top of said body atdiametrically opposite sides of said end wall;

a tubular projection affording access to the interior of said bodylocated in each of said depressions; and

a handling member for manually and mechanically manipulating said drum,said handling member being positioned laterally of said end wall at thetop of said body, adjacent said tubular projection.

28. The drum of claim 27 wherein said handling member is in the form ofa loop of flexible material cooperatively engaging said tubularprojection.

29. The drum of claim 27 wherein said handling member is in the form ofa receptacle constituted by a cavity defined by a fold portion being anextension of said tubular projection and including an outer wall spacedfrom and substantially parallel with one side of said tubular projectionfacing away from the center of the top of said drum, and a base wallbridging said outer wall and said one side of said tubular projection atthe lower ends thereof.

30. A blow-molded drum of thermoplastic material having an open top,comprising:

a substantially cylindrical main body portion having a longitudinalaxis;

slightly curved head and bottom portions at axially opposite ends ofsaid main body portion and integral therewith, said head portionterminating into an upper free edge constituting the open top of saiddrum, and said bottom portion terminating into a substantially planarend wall;

at least two indentations in the circumferential wall of said headportion at diametrically opposite sides thereof, equidistant from andadjacent to said upper free edge, said indentations having planarbearing surfaces axially aligned relative to each other and disposedsubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said drum, said planarsurfaces being adapted to receive supporting members for lifting andtransporting said drum; and

a handling member for manually and mechanically manipulating said drum,said handling member being moveably attached to said upper free edge ofsaid top portion of said body.

1. A blow-molded drum of thermoplastic material comprising: an extendeddrum body having a circumferential wall and top and bottom sections,said circumferential wall having at least two integral overhanging browportions positioned respectively on opposite sides of saidcircumferential wall of said body, each of said brow portionsoverhanging a corresponding clear and open volume adjacent saidcircumferential wall sufficiently large to permit insertion of the forksof a fork lift beneath the overhanging brows, said overhanging browportions having bottom surfaces adapted to serve as bearing and liftingsurfaces for lifting and transporting of said drum by the forks of afork lift.
 2. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 1 wherein said browportions are positioned in the circumferential wall of said bodyadjacent to the top of said drum body and substantially equidistantabove the bottom of said body.
 3. The blow-molded drum of claim 1wherein said circumferential wall is generally cylindrical with slightlytapering top and bottom portions.
 4. The blow-molded drum defined byclaim 1 wherein said clear and open volumes are defined by twoindentations in opposite sides of said circumferential wall of saidbody, each of said indentations being extended lengthwise to definelongitudinal channels in said circumferential wall through which theforks of a fork lift can be inserted, said overhanging brow portionscomprising the respective overhanging top portions of said longitudinalchannels.
 5. The blow-molded drum defined by claim 1 wherein each ofsaid overhanging brow portions has at its deepest portion a depth in therange of 3/2 of an inch to 1 1/2 inches.
 6. The blow-molded drum definedby claim 1 wherein said overhanging brow portions have at their deepestportion a depth of at least 1/2 inch.
 7. The blow-molded drum defined byclaim 6 wherein the clear and open volume beneath an overhanging browportion has a height of approximately 1 1/2 inches.
 8. The blow-moldeddrum defined by claim 1 wherein said bottom surfaces of said overhangingbrow portion are planar surfaces substantially normal to the axis ofsaid drum, said circumferential wall including longitudinally extendedupright wall sections immediately beneath and joining to said bottomsurfaces of said overhanging brow portions.
 9. The blow-molded drum ofclaim 1 wherein said drum body includes a handling member positioned atthe top of said body and adjacent said circumferential wall and adaptedto receive the handling hook of a hand truck.
 10. The drum defined byclaim 9 wherein said handling attachment comprises a loop of flexiblematerial attached to said drum body.
 11. The drum defined by claim 9wherein said handling comprises a cup-like receptacle integrally formedin the plastic of the top of said drum body.
 12. The drum defined byclaim 1 wherein said bottom section of said drum body includes a bottomenclosing end wall and said top section of said drum body has an opentop adapted to receive a mating plastic cover.
 13. A blow-molded drum ofthermoplastic material comprising: a substantially cylindrical bodyhaving opposite ends; at least two indentations in the circumferentialwall of said body at diametrically opposite sides thereof, saidindentations having planar bearing surfaces disposed substantiallynormal to the longitudinal axis of said drum, said indentations beingproportioned and adapted to receive the forks of a mechanical fork liftfor lifting and transporting said drum on said planar bearing surfaces.14. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute top andbottom end walls of said body and said indentations extend equidistantfrom and adjacent to said top end wall.
 15. The drum of claim 13 whereinsaid body has a longitudinal axis and includes a head portion and aplurality of indentations provided in the circumferential wall of saidhead portion at diametrically opposite sides tHereof and positionedsymmetrically relative to the longitudinal axis of said body.
 16. Thedrum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute top and bottomend walls of said body, said indentations being positioned on thecircumferential wall of said body equidistant above the bottom end wallsof said body.
 17. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite endsconstitute top and bottom end walls of said body, said body being openat its top and said indentations being positioned on the circumferentialwall of said body adjacent to the open top of said body and equidistantabove the bottom end wall of said body.
 18. The drum of claim 13,wherein said opposite ends constitute top and bottom end walls of saidbody, and includes at least one depression formed at one side of the topend wall, and further including a tubular projection affording access tothe interior of said body and located in said depression.
 19. The drumof claim 18 wherein said tubular projection is integrally formed withsaid depression in said planar end wall at the top of said body, saiddrum further including reinforcing webs integral with said end wall andsaid tubular projection and bridging said depression.
 20. The drum ofclaim 19 wherein said tubular projections are provided with an innercircumferential surface and screw threads in said surface, said screwthreads being adapted to intermesh with the screw threads of a plugmember positioned in said tubular projection to seal the latter from theatmosphere.
 21. The drum of claim 13 further including a handling memberfor manually and mechanically manipulating said drum, said handlingmember being positioned at the top of said drum adjacent saidcircumferential wall of said drum.
 22. The drum of claim 21 wherein saidopposite ends constitute planar end wall surfaces at the top and bottomof said body, the planar end wall surface at the top of said body beingformed with at least one depression at the side of said surface, andfurther including a tubular projection affording access to the interiorof said body located in said depression, and wherein said handlingmember is positioned laterally adjacent one of said tubular projections.23. The drum of claim 22 wherein said handling member is a loop offlexible material cooperatively engaged with said one of said tubularprojections.
 24. The drum of claim 21 wherein the planar end wallsurface at the top of said body is formed with at least one depressionat one side of said surface and a tubular projection affording access tothe interior of said body located in said depression, and wherein saidhandling member is in the form of a receptacle constituted by a wallsection positioned radially outwardly and spaced from said tubularprojection and defining a cavity in said surface in the region of theperipheral edge thereof, said cavity extending inwardly of said body.25. The drum of claim 13 wherein said opposite ends constitute a top andbottom end of said body, said body being open at its top, said drumincluding a handling member positioned adjacent the peripheral edgebounding the open top of said body and adapted to receive the handlinghook of a hand truck.
 26. The drum of claim 25 wherein said handlingmember is in the form of a loop of flexible material and said peripheraledge includes a laterally outwardly directed projection defining anopening therethrough for the passage of said loop of flexible material.27. A blow-molded drum of thermoplastic material comprising: asubstantially cylindrical main body portion having a longitudinal axis;slightly curved head and bottom portions at axially opposite ends ofsaid main body portion and integral therewith, said head and bottomportions terminating into substantially planar end walls; at least twoindentations in the circumferential wall of said head portion atdiametrically opposite sides thereof, equidistant from and adjacent tothe planar end wall of said head portion, Said indentations havingplanar bearing surfaces axially aligned relative to each other anddisposed substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of said drum,said planar surfaces being adapted to receive supporting members forlifting and transporting said drum; depressions in the planar end wallat the top of said body at diametrically opposite sides of said endwall; a tubular projection affording access to the interior of said bodylocated in each of said depressions; and a handling member for manuallyand mechanically manipulating said drum, said handling member beingpositioned laterally of said end wall at the top of said body, adjacentsaid tubular projection.
 28. The drum of claim 27 wherein said handlingmember is in the form of a loop of flexible material cooperativelyengaging said tubular projection.
 29. The drum of claim 27 wherein saidhandling member is in the form of a receptacle constituted by a cavitydefined by a fold portion being an extension of said tubular projectionand including an outer wall spaced from and substantially parallel withone side of said tubular projection facing away from the center of thetop of said drum, and a base wall bridging said outer wall and said oneside of said tubular projection at the lower ends thereof.
 30. Ablow-molded drum of thermoplastic material having an open top,comprising: a substantially cylindrical main body portion having alongitudinal axis; slightly curved head and bottom portions at axiallyopposite ends of said main body portion and integral therewith, saidhead portion terminating into an upper free edge constituting the opentop of said drum, and said bottom portion terminating into asubstantially planar end wall; at least two indentations in thecircumferential wall of said head portion at diametrically oppositesides thereof, equidistant from and adjacent to said upper free edge,said indentations having planar bearing surfaces axially alignedrelative to each other and disposed substantially normal to thelongitudinal axis of said drum, said planar surfaces being adapted toreceive supporting members for lifting and transporting said drum; and ahandling member for manually and mechanically manipulating said drum,said handling member being moveably attached to said upper free edge ofsaid top portion of said body.